Mazda 3 Engine Ticking - Intake, not valves!

Apparently something in the intake is causing the noise... Further investigation required.
Update: The noise is from tumbler valves in the runners that make the intake more energized while the engine is cold. Basically, it's another emissions thing that goes wrong eventually and just makes things worse. Apparently people have been removing the valves since the cars were new and claim a little better mileage as well as smoother power delivery and a bit more horsepower. But at the expense of a TINY bit more emissions right at startup. Sounds like a heck of a trade-off, EPA... Thanks!

[@nscribner94]

Eric, I have a 2004 Mazda 3 2.0 with the same damn issue. It runs perfectly with the clicking. I just want to make sure it's safe to drive. I don't want to spend over a $1000 plus labor for a new manifold. It runs perfect. I feel absolutely no issue with driving it. I just hear the ticking at a low RPM.

[@rccardude04]

Yup, I've looked into it farther. Apparently it's harmless in the 2.3s. The butterfly valves in the link you gave me is for the 2.0L in the old Proteges. I almost bought a Protege 5 when I got my Mazda 3 and it was definitely a concern. The flappers in this one are earlier in the intake though and apparently are only supposed to function to put more turbulence in the air when the engine is cold. After a while though they freak out and make noise. I need to remove them but haven't had time.

[@rccardude04]

To my knowledge, there's no danger of catastrophic failure. Just some ticking from the things trying to open or close and for some reason they're just stuck. I think they learned their lesson on the Protege to make it fail in such a way that it doesn't fall apart, but it does still make an annoying noise. If I remember right, the root cause of the issue on the Protege/Mondeo was a lack of thread locking compound on the screws, yes? Just a manufacturing issue that was tracked and fixed.

[@rccardude04]

Patrick Watzlawek read the description!!

[@bradyclaar]

Mine has this same issue I haven’t checked it does it sound the same when you rev it as well or just on idle?

[@rccardude04]

The Protege 2.0L engine issue was due to screws faling out of the VCIS butterflies. It was a manufacturing issue. The recall document is here: (dot) protegefaq (dot) net (slash) tsb (slash) 3005C (dot) pdf The Protege/Mondeo (assuming they're the same engine) butterflies were for performance benefit. Variable intake runner length. The new Mazda 3 issue is just an emissions thing that can be ignored if the owner so desires. Do you have any evidence to the contrary?

[@TheFlacker99]

I've been looking at a Mazda3 2.3 (2005) and the owner had gotten it fixed. Its apparently some type of butterfly valve in the intake

[@frankiej.rodriguez2302]

I have a 2003 Mazda 6i 2.3L and it makes the same noise. I wanted to say it was the pcv valve or even a piston but ill do some more research and investigating on the intake manifold!

[@jasonmedeiros7359]

Runner flaps tapping, there either stuck, or going over

[@thermogenesis]

when you have that intake clicking sound does the check engine light comes on

[@divljacina1]

its those damn flapers......

[@newsense6608]

thank you! old video and not sure if you will see this, but you most likely just saved me from getting gouged from a service shop thinking i had the valve lifter issue.. i pull that same plug on my 04 2.3 and its quiet as can be.

[@rccardude04]

Awesome! Still an annoying fix but I'm glad someone found the video helpful!!

[@newsense6608]

@@rccardude04 ya, I plugged it back in. I'll try to fix it one of these days.. :) Either pull the butterfly's or find a manifold on the cheap. Ordered a solenoid for $20 off Amazon just now. Fingers crossed. Thank you again!

[@rccardude04]

@@newsense6608 maybe it'll work for you but it made no difference for me. I drove mine probably 60,000 miles making that noise and had zero issues.

[@newsense6608]

@@rccardude04 Doing more research, I agree. New solenoid isn't going to fix the issue. It's the VTCS setup just physically worn out. I'm going to pull the manifold off and pull the butterfly valves so they stop flapping. Guess I'll change the PCV valve while I'm in there... I dig that chop top Miata you got. 🙂

[@newsense6608]

Finally got around to pulling the VTCS rod and butterfly valves out today. It still makes the same noise once its warmed up. I pull the plug to that solenoid, it goes away. You win Mazda 3.. for now. Being I had the intake out, I also cleaned the throttle body and changed the PCV valve. Helped stabilize my idle and power does feel smoother. Knowing the valves are gone, I swear the sound is coming from under the valve cover now.. but why disconnecting that one solenoid does it go away? Could it be something with the timing? Just for info, I got an 04 Mazda 3 2.3L 5 speed. Just a little over 60k miles on it. Being this video is the only one with the exact same issue, anything changes I will post back. I know there has to be others out there! Car runs fine, but I'll be damned, that ticking sound drives me crazy.

[@justinosborn2162]

So do I replace that? Or get a new intake?

[@Tiberiumfreek]

So my conclusion owning my 04 Mazda3, is that this freaking works. As you've stated people have been doing it since they were new. And I see why. However, I noticed the ticking didn't start until I've driven a while. I don't know if that's the same thing as your engine being cold. Regardless WOW, its a big difference in just touching the gas. What is this sensor called do you know? I'd like to know what it specifically reads.

[@rccardude04]

I bought a solenoid. It did not fix the issue. My issue is something that's not right in the intake. I'll continue to ignore it forever!

[@jasonmedeiros7359]

They are valve actuators, they use vaccume to open and close the flaps, I just unplugged mine, cel came on due to that, but hey, runs better wide open

[@PatRicKcZ01]

I have the same noise on mazda 3 2.0 :( how i can fix it?

[@zackobrien2223]

I'm looking at buying an 06 3S 5 speed with 92k miles, the owner says it has ticking and his mechanic says he thinks it's either a bad bearing or valve.. if I go to look at it, if the problem is the same as yours, should pulling the plug like you did stop the issue and help me diagnose it? Thanks in advance!

[@rccardude04]

It worked on mine. It's plugged in for driving and apparently doesn't hurt anything. It's a solid lifter engine and they're prone to spinning rod bearings if you run them low on oil. This sounds like a lifter ticking on an engine that's nearly impossible to get lifter tick from. Rod bearing will sound like a rod bearing. Bottom end rattle about twice as fast as mine was ticking.

[@Ilmaies]

I dont know if you are still active or remember but did you had your check engine light on as well?

[@rccardude04]

Can't remember if I did it the time, but that car generally had this check engine light on for an evap leak. Not sure if that's related but I guess it could be?

[@Ilmaies]

Oh ok. I have an inspection in 3 months, so it's a bit of a mess if it leaks somewhere. It was stupid of me to buy such an old car and expect me to handle it 😅

[@rccardude04]

@@Ilmaies I always assumed it was something by the gas tank, but I could never be bothered to go. Really investigate it. I just ignored the light and checked the codes every once in a while to make sure something new hadn't popped up. I never had to get this car inspected living in Kansas. :)

[@SultanKhan-ho5qm]

I have the same noise coming from the car. I removed those wires as well the same way done in the video and the noise did not stop. what should I do?

[@SultanKhan-ho5qm]

@@mvc2177 I was not able to figure it out immediately, and neither was my mechanic at the time. Couple of weeks later, it went from ticking to knocking. Took back to the mechanic, he drained the oil, saw bits of metal (very bad) and then discovered that one of my piston rods had broke in half. So while the crank shaft was spinning, that broken piston rod was just smashing up the inside of the block. Sold the car to the junk yard that same night. Never in my life would I ever recommend a Mazda 3 anyone, unless it is newer than 2014.

[@msport224]

what happens if you drive with it unplugged?

[@jadensrealaccount3116]

Fixes the problem lmfao

[@josefmarek4614]

I have exactly the same issue on M 6 2009 2.5i. Does anybody resolved this problem? Is the noise caused by play on manifold VTCS flappers or solenoid or actuators issues? Thanks.

[@nemikszi]

Same issue here (m6 2.5). After all you resolved the problem?

[@edmondnera3532]

I have the same noise...but i dont have that connector you are unplugging..ill post a video in the next couple days

[@rccardude04]

Feel free to send me a link to your video in a private message!

[@lolosaulala48]

Did you manage to fix the problem edmond

[@mel609]

Thank you I unplugged mine and the ticking stopped

[@beefcakemonsta]

plastic intake flaps. You better remove em or else ones one of those gets torn off inside the manifold, it goes directly to the intake valve which can use kaboom on your engine.

[@smyrnianlink]

As far as I am concerned, they are metal on this (mazda) version of this engine. Ford version has them plastic. Metal makes more noise but does not 'kaboom' . (also a little more difficult to remove)

[@jasonmedeiros7359]

Maybe???? The 2.3 in the fusions are mazda engines with Ford upgrades.

[@orlabdotank7462]

I believe this is caused by the air intake manifold control valve they go bad pretty easy I'm having this issue right now and that's what I'm gonna replace to see if it solves it,I think it should

[@eatalotoftoast]

Did this fix the problem?

[@rccardude04]

I'm also curious. if you do fix it please tell us what part numbers you bought, and where you got parts!

[@orlabdotank7462]

+Jonathan Fink I replaced the intake manifold control valve solenoid, I got it from autozone, that solved my problem.

[@orlabdotank7462]

+Eric Brown I can't remember the part number though

[@rccardude04]

+Orlabdo Tank thanks sir, I may give this a shot!

[@levithemiata4784]

My car ticks but only when I’m driving and accelerating especially from second gear

[@Williamysilver]

Me too the same any solution?

[@afaakqureshi5804]

Is this problem solved for someone..?? If yes please let me know how it is solved..? I faced same issue after my car get in water till Headlights..

[@jasonmedeiros7359]

My fusion is doing that, I unplugged the accutators, it stopped, but I replaced and still does it, new intake manifold

[@morgan7992]

I have had this issue with my 2005 for about a month now. After seeing this video, tried doing the same thing with the plug and eliminated the ticking issue. So is this safe for the engine to drive with it unplugged?

[@rccardude04]

I left it plugged in and am ignoring the noise. No problem so far. It's a little annoying but doesn't actually seem to hurt anything. Maybe if I get bored and I get my truck running 100% so I can drive it for a few days I'll try the butterfly delete mod but until then... Tickticktickticktick

[@rccardude04]

***** not that I can tell. If anything it goes away with rpm but it may just be that the noise of the car covers it up where I just can't hear it.

[@morgan7992]

Update: I had this looked into this and in order to replace the valve, you need to replace the whole manifold. It's either leave it unplugged and lose some power or deal with the ticking.

[@rccardude04]

Morgan Smith That's what I found as well.

[@dacoda6668]

I’m a Subaru guy! this sound makes me sick!!

[@xxDOTH3DEWxx]

Its the VTCS flaps that sit inside the intake manifold, your car must be the first generation, because the flaps on those get loose and the flaps rattle. research how to remove the VTCS. i did it and the car runs smoother

[@rccardude04]

yeah it's a 2004. I thought about messing with it but haven't really felt like jacking with it. I do have another suv to drive though so maybe I'll tear into it sometime.

[@thermogenesis]

i own ah 04 Mazda 2.0L 3i 5 speed and when i start the car everything is cool but i hear that tick tick tick sound i was thinking maybe my timing belt needs to be changed but i still have a lot of meat on it, also my air compress it could be the reason i had Firestone look at it and they said my compress is causing the sound could that be true or they just want my $$$

[@vitalic_drms]

sounds more like hammering

[@rccardude04]

Like rod knock? I promise it's not.

[@vitalic_drms]

oh I'm not doubting your description of the issue. it's just that when I've gone after ticking (not on this engine) it's been much quieter, chattering valves on motorcycle engines. hearing *this* would be pretty scary

[@brianlee5649]

Sounds like a diesel just a bit. (No offense).

[@BernabelaPunch]

Hi, I have a 2007 Mazda 3 1.6 and its making the same noise kzbin.info/www/bejne/pni0gIGqrpKabc0, I was wondering if you guys could help me out PN: Just share the link cause my mazda runs the same way, haven`t found good oil in the sht country I live